Not gonna lie, it would be very cliché to say “Another Tax!?”. However someone is going to ask. Yes my people, another tax. This newest one is named the Blank Tape Tax.
Kenyan Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba made the announcement of the new tax on the Friday of August 25th of 2023. Blank Tape Tax will be levied on all digital and electronic devices with the ability to record or produce internet content. This tax will be applied to all imported devices, including mobile phones from foreign manufacturers.
The blank tape tax purposely plans to enhance
digital content creation in the country. CS Adabu Namwamba believes that the
blank tape tax is necessary to protect the interests of copyright holders and
content creators in the country. Claiming that the new tax will be significant
and increase the collection of digital royalties.
The new tax, looks to make a major impact on
parties involved a various number of ways. The tax with the help of its online
content consumers hope to expand the digital economy. For the musicians and content creators, the tax
aims to assist the government to collect royalties digitally to pay these
creators, establish key facilities where they can train their skills and
promote them domestically and internationally.
Lastly , for the economy CS Namwamba commented that
if implemented effectively, these policies can help transform the creative
economy and make it a key driver of economic growth and development.